Thoroughbred Racing - Top 10 Best of 2014

Thoroughbred Racing – 2014 Top 10

10. Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf

Class. Class. Class. Winning four Gr.1 races at distances no shorter than 1 3/16ths, Main Sequence ran a big one in the Breeders’ Cup Turf for trainer Graham Motion. The mid-pack trailer went from 5th to 1st on the stretch for a half-length triumph over Flintshire. This year’s field included Arlington Million winner Hardest Core and a slew of talented Euro’s.

9. Haskell Invitational

After being annihilated in the Preakness, there was reason to believe Bayern was built for speed rather than distance. Following his wire-to-wire victory, handicappers that had been reluctant to back the colt sat silent in their seats. Not only did Baffert’s colt he win, he demolished the field and romped by 7 ¼ lengths. A sensational effort by the leggy bay who would shock us once again on the sport’s biggest stage in the months that followed.

8. Travers Stakes

The race that left Bayern fans silent, also left Wicked Strong fans broken-hearted when V.E. Day nosed out the favorite at the wire. Prior to the race Baffert was asked how he felt regarding Bayern handling the distance, “I don’t really know if he can do it.” Famous last words. Bayern exploded out of the gate like a rocket and was challenged by Belmont winner Tonalist. The two were running wild and the pace was too hot for the front runner, who crumbled on the turn for home to finish dead-last. While all eyes were on Tonalist and Wicked Strong, V.E. Day was sitting chilly towards the back. At the half mile mark he made a subtle move from 7th to 6th, but Javier Castellano shook the reins at the mile and the rest is history.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WP3LDxLdajQ

7. 139th Preakness Stakes

If your jaw didn’t drop in disbelief at how this year’s Preakness unfolded, perhaps you were too busy scratching your head or your eyes were forced shut for obvious reasons. From the moment the gates opened to midway through the race, Ria Antonia wiped out Bayern right out of the gate and then shot to the lead with Pablo Del Monte. What in the world was happening?! Where was Social Inclusion? What was Calvin Borrel thinking? If you couldn’t help but laugh during the first half of the race, you weren’t alone. This race was goofy. On a serious note, there is nothing sweeter than watching a Kentucky Derby winner go on to capture the Preakness. California Chrome made his move earlier than usual and though Ride on Curlin gave it his best shot, he would have to settle for second. Chromies, make some noise!

6. Breeders’ Cup Classic

Hands down the most controversial race of the year. While Santa Anita stewards will never live down their decision regarding the first few seconds of the race, there is also no denying that the Classic’s stretch drive was THE GREATEST stretch drive witnessed all year. The thriller that included California Chrome, Bayern and Toast of New York, is precisely the kind of stretch run we hope to witness on the sport’s biggest stage. If you weren’t screaming your lungs out to the point of passing out, we’re afraid you seriously missed out.

5. Breeders’ Cup Distaff

A win in the Haskell would have been nice, but with that aside, it really couldn’t have been a more perfect year for Untapable, who captured four Gr.1 stakes, including the Kentucky Oaks, Mother Goose, Cotillion and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. The latter also couldn’t have presented a more perfect way for Rosie Napravnik to proclaim her retirement, which she announced on national television, leaving everyone in utter emotional disbelief. Talk about going out with a bang. #Boom

4. Hollywood Derby

Yet another top moment that includes California Chrome. The Gr.1 Hollywood Derby brought together the Kentucky Derby and Queen’s Plate winners—something not seen in quite some time. Art Sherman’s colt would debut on the turf against Lexie Lou, who was already a proven winner on the surface. But Chrome was ready to go and he was marvelous, taking to the lawn as if on a casual stroll in the park. The win made him the second horse to capture a Gr.1 race on turf following a victory in the Kentucky Derby. Who was the first horse to accomplish this? Secretariat. Enough said. Respect is given where it is due. #HatersGonnaHate

3. Shadwell Turf Mile

Trailing the field after breaking dead last, Wise Dan gets stuck behind a wall of horses in the early moments of the $1,000,000 Gr.1 Shadwell Turf Mile. But it was going to take a lot more to keep the two-time Eclipse award-winning Horse Of The Year from losing. On the turn for home, John Velazquez takes the 7-year-old four wide and Keeneland’s grandstand erupts in frenzied excitement. The king of the turf. Make way peasants, Wise Dan has a race to win!

2. Awesome Again Stakes

You don’t have to be an expert to realize Shared Belief has the heart of a champion. Floated out five-wide by Baffert’s Sky Kingdom, Mike Smith didn’t think he’d have gas in the tank to make a move on the turn for home and outrun Fed Biz on the stretch, who had set the pace and showed no sign of yielding the lead. But he did, and Shared Belief gave it his all in a test of courage not many horses could possibly withstand. Engaging in a speed duel, Shared Belief rallied hard down the lane to catch Fed Biz and ultimately one-upped his foe by a head for a statement win that proved heart is key in overcoming adversity. He may be little, but he is fierce. #SuperHorse

1. 140th Kentucky Derby

When California Chrome won the King Glorious back in December of 2013, many people saw him as just another colt. Many people were wrong. This chestnut son of Lucky Pulpit comes from the humblest of beginnings, and this is precisely the reason why so many people adore him. Twelve months ago, if the look in his eye wasn’t mesmerizing enough, perhaps his perfect movement and powerful stride caused your eyes to linger a little longer than usual. On the first Saturday in May, his performance blew millions of people away, so much so that NBC Sports includes the Derby as one of the top four greatest moments of 2014. Taking off at the top of the stretch with such ease, no horse was going to catch them—not Commanding Curve and certainly not Danza. Throwing his hand in the air, Espinoza’s face reflects that of sweet victory, and for good reason; This is the most glorified race in the sport. Coupled with California Chrome’s resounding impact on racing, the 140th run for the roses tops our 2014 list of greatest moments. A fairy-tale come true. This is what dreams are made of.